Jewish Community Center

Community Enrichment

In almost every major city in the United States there is a Jewish Community Center. It serves as a general recreational, social, and fraternal organization in the local Jewish Community. The JCC promotes Jewish culture and heritage through different clubs, programs, and educational opportunities. For Phoenix, a Jewish Community Center came out of necessity for the rising Jewish population migrating to the area after World War II.

Jewish Community Center History

By the end of World War II, Phoenix saw a population explosion, especially within the Jewish community. In 1945, the first Jewish Community Center (JCC) opened its doors in a small seven room house on North Fourth Street. At the time it was an adequate amount of space, but quickly the small house center was no match to the influx of members subsequently joining the JCC. The JCC moved to an auxiliary location in 1953 on North Central Avenue until construction finished on a new location. The grand opening of the new JCC was in 1955 off East Camelback Road.

The JCC offered more in the way of opportunities for recreational, educational, and cultural activities to its members. This included sports teams, dance classes, and summer camps. The new center also had offices and conference rooms for local organizations such as the Phoenix Chapter of B’nai B’rith, AZA Chapters, Young Judea, and Hillel to host their meetings.  

In 1962, the JCC once again had to move locations in order to match the growing needs of the community. This time they relocated to West Maryland Avenue in central Phoenix. The JCC continued to be a place for all ages of the Jewish community to go to unwind and participate in a multitude of activities. The JCC remained in central Phoenix for forty years, but the Jewish community continued to expand in the Valley, and it was time for a new location.

The J (or JCC) moved to Scottsdale in 2002 and continues to service the Jewish community today.

CLICK HERE: The J Scottsdale

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AZJHS is deeply grateful to all our donors and sponsors for their generous support and gifts throughout the year. Because of you, we are able to continue providing to the public at no cost our many programs, events and exhibits.

Mid Century Exhibit Key

(Please choose from the links below to enter the exhibit room of your choice.)

1. Exhibit Entrance

   1. Welcome to Mid-Century Jewish Life in Phoenix

2. Featurette

   1. Korricks Department Store

3. Social Life in Phoenix

   1. Social Calendar

   2. Purim Carnival and Queen Esther

   3. Jewish Festivals, Plays, Dances

   4. Fashion & Jewelry

4. Community Enrichment

   1. Kivel Nursing Home

   2. Jewish Community Center

   3. Youth Organizations

   4. Social Service

5. Religious Life

   1. Temple Beth Israel

   2. Beth El Congregation

   3. Beth Hebrew

   4. Har Zion, Temple Beth Shalom, Beth Joseph, Temple Shalom, and Temple Beth Sholom

   5. Rabbi Albert Plotkin and Sylvia Plotkin

6. Jewish Engagement in Civil Rights

   1. Camelback Inn

   2. Establishment of the State of Israel

   3. Civil Rights

7. Activities Corner

   1. The Poodle Skirt

   2. Paper Dolls

If you have Mid-Century Photos or Documents from 1945-1975 and would like to add to our photographic and informational collection, please fill out the below and submit. Our Special Collections Curator will be in contact with you. Thank you.